Ampeg PF800 or Sansamp RBI/RPM?

I'm trying to make a decision on getting the Ampeg PF800 or the Sansamp RBI/RPM combination. I own a Hartke LH1000 but not thrilled with the tone. Would the Sansamp preamp combo be able to cop the same tone as the Ampeg? I used to have a defective PF500. When it worked the tone was awesome. But I feel like if I got the PF800 I might be missing out on some good Sansamp tones. What do you guys think?

On paper, the PF800 is similar to the RPM.
Bass is at 40 Hz, Sansamp at 80 Hz.
Mids at 220,450,800,1.6, 3 KHz, Sansamp (RPM) variable from 170~3KHz
Highs at 4 KHz, Sansamp at 3 KHz

If you are really looking for emulating the Ampeg tone, also consider the Sansamp VT Rackmount.
I use the RPM+VTRM with a solid state power amp.

PF800 is a head, and not a drop-in for a conventional rack.
Sansamps are intended for rack mounting, and will use a rack mountable power amp.
PF800 at 11.8 pounds weighs a lot less than two Sansamps, a power amp, and rack case.

PF800 is 400w into an 8 ohm load. Is this enough juice?
My Sansamps drive a PLX-3002 or ProLite2, both which are 3KW amps.

Q: is this a live performance rig, or heavy use in recording?

The Sansamps offer a lot more variety in tones, which will be lost in live performance.
Unless you are knob twiddler, you will probably use one Mix and one Solo tone for use in a live band.

A pair of Sansamps can be switched between units with a floor switch.
My RPM is set up for fat and punchy, and the VTRM set for a solo heavy grind.

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I used the sansamp RBI touring this past season and it can get "close" to the ampeg sound, if you know what you are doing with it and that is what you are looking for. It is a very flexible preamp, but everything is emulated (pretty well though). Personally, i really don't like the new ampeg solid state amps (i have owned both tube and solid state ampegs), and have seen terrible reviews with new PF line. i think you would be happier with an RBI or RPM with a power amp vs the ampeg. my 2 cents.

Thanks for the replies. My band will doing some heavy gigging next year and I'm a little skeptical of the PF800 even though there isn't any casualties yet that I know of. I just love the tone of those amps. But I didn't think of the VT rack. Sounds cool. A VT rack and an RPM minus the RBI. I did read about the BBE Bmax but I don't think it will cut it.